--- title: "How to Get a Building Permit in Anne Arundel County | TBG" description: "Step by step through the Land Use Navigator: creating an account, applying, documents, paying, tracking review, inspections, expiration and extensions." url: https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/how-to-get-building-permit-anne-arundel/ last_updated: 2026-10-14 --- [TBG](https://thebrettgroup.com/) / [Home Remodeling](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/) / How to get a permit Local guide · Anne Arundel County · October 2026 # How to get a building permit in Anne Arundel County Since December 2025, county permit applications are filed online through the Land Use Navigator. Here is the process step by step, from creating an account to the final inspection. Get matched with a builder who knows this - **Online**: New applications go through the Land Use Navigator - **$43**: Non-refundable application fee per permit - **24 hrs**: Permit must be active before the first inspection - **1 year**: Permit expires if work hasn't started | Step | What happens | | --- | --- | | 1. Register | Create a Land Use Navigator account | | 2. Apply | Choose the record type, enter the address and contacts, upload PDFs | | 3. Pay | Pay at checkout; the record number is assigned after payment | | 4. Review | Track each reviewer's status and comments online | | 5. Issue | Download the permit and approved plans; keep them on site | | 6. Inspect | Schedule inspections online or by phone | ## 1. Create an account Go to the county's [Land Use Navigator](https://www.aacounty.org/lun) and choose "Register for an Account." Enter a username, email, password and security question, choose Individual or Organization, and add your contact details and mailing address. Pay from the same account that creates the record: payments must come from that account. Usually your contractor applies, but homeowners can apply for their own work where the county allows it. ## 2. Apply Under Permits, choose Create an Application and pick the record type. Choosing the wrong one means reapplying and paying again, so use the county's "Do I need a permit?" list or email permitcenterhelp@aacounty.org if unsure. Then: - Enter the address, parcel and owner, and the contacts (one must be the Applicant). - Upload documents as PDFs. For a house, addition or alteration that usually means the application, construction plans, a site plan, a Critical Area worksheet and a standard grading plan application. - Review, certify and pay. Unpaid temporary records are deleted after 30 days. ## 3. Review and how long it takes Track progress under Record Info, Processing Status, which shows each review's due date and comments. A green check means that review is finished, not that it was approved. The county doesn't publish target review times for residential permits; simple trade permits move fastest, and projects that need zoning, Critical Area, grading or Health Department review take longer. If the final manager review sits more than 5 business days, the county suggests calling the Permit Center. ## 4. Issuance and inspections Once issued, download the permit and approved plans from Attachments. The permit (or a copy) and the approved drawings must stay on site until the project is finished. The permit must be active for 24 hours before the first inspection. Schedule inspections in the Land Use Navigator under Inspections, or by phone at (410) 222-7784 on weekdays. All trade finals must pass before the building final. ## 5. Expiration and extensions A permit expires if work hasn't started within one year of issuance. Before it expires, you can ask in writing for an extension of up to a year, for a $50 fee, if you can show a hardship. An expired permit can sometimes be renewed for the same fee; ask the Permit Center about the deadline for your record. ## 6. Need help in person? The Permit Center is at 2664 Riva Road in Annapolis, (410) 222-7730, permitcenterhelp@aacounty.org. It has scanner kiosks for documents up to 11x17. Note that the Land Use Navigator is scheduled to be offline from the evening of November 6 to the morning of November 9, 2026. Addresses inside Annapolis city limits apply to the city instead; see our [City of Annapolis permit guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-city-building-permits/). Estimate fees with our [permit fee calculator](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/permit-fee-calculator-anne-arundel/). ## Where this comes up most [Annapolis →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/annapolis/) · [Glen Burnie →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/glen-burnie/) · [Severna Park →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/severna-park/) · [Odenton →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/odenton/) · [Crofton →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/crofton/) · [Pasadena →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/pasadena/) ## Projects we match - [Kitchen remodels](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/kitchen/anne-arundel/): Layouts, cabinets, counters and full gut renovations. - [Additions](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/additions/anne-arundel/): Bump-outs, second stories and in-law suites. - [Basement finishing](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/basement/anne-arundel/): Living space, egress, bathrooms and waterproofing. ## Common questions ### How do I apply for a building permit in Anne Arundel County? Online through the Land Use Navigator. Since December 1, 2025, new permit applications generally must be filed there. ### How long does a building permit take in Anne Arundel County? The county doesn't publish target review times for residential permits. Simple trade permits move fastest; projects with zoning, Critical Area, grading or Health Department review take longer. You can track each review online. ### How long is an Anne Arundel County building permit good for? A permit expires if work has not started within one year of issuance. A written extension of up to one year is available for $50 if requested before it expires. ### How do I schedule a county inspection? In the Land Use Navigator under Inspections, or by calling (410) 222-7784 on weekdays. The permit must be active for 24 hours before the first inspection. ## Official sources [AA County: Permits](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/permits) · [AA County: LUN general access help](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/land-use-navigator-help/system-help/general-access) · [AA County: LUN permits help](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/land-use-navigator-help/system-help/permits-system-help) · [AA County: LUN inspections help](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/land-use-navigator-help/system-help/inspections-system-help) · [AA County Bill 44-24 (extensions, fees)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/pubs/LegisLegal/County-Legislation/2025-Anne-Arundel-County-44-24.pdf) · [AA County: Permit fees](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/fees/permit-fees) This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules and maps change; confirm the requirements for your property with the permit office before you design or sign a contract. ## More local guides [Renovating or adding on in a flood zone in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/flood-zone-renovation-anne-arundel/) · [Building or adding on near the water: the Critical Area explained](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/building-near-the-water-critical-area/) · [Remodeling ideas for Anne Arundel County's most common house types](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/remodeling-anne-arundel-house-types/) · [Materials that hold up near the Chesapeake](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/chesapeake-coastal-building-materials/) · [Septic upgrades and Bay Restoration Fund grants in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/septic-upgrades-bay-restoration-fund/) · [Deck permits in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/deck-permits-anne-arundel/) · [In-law suites and accessory dwelling units in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/in-law-suites-adu-anne-arundel/) · [Energy rebates for Maryland home remodels in 2026](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/energy-rebates-maryland-remodel/) · [Renovating a home in the Annapolis historic district](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-historic-district-renovation/) · [Do you need a permit to finish a basement in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/basement-finishing-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/kitchen-remodel-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a bathroom remodel in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/bathroom-remodel-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a fence in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/fence-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a shed or detached garage in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/shed-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a pool or hot tub in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/pool-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit to replace a roof, siding or windows in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/roof-siding-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Permits for a home addition in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/home-addition-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Demolition permits in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/demolition-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Buying or selling a house with unpermitted work in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/unpermitted-work-buying-selling-anne-arundel/) · [Building permits in the City of Annapolis](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-city-building-permits/) · [Anne Arundel County permit fee calculator](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/permit-fee-calculator-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a building permit in Baltimore County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/baltimore-county-building-permits/) · [Do you need a building permit in Howard County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/howard-county-building-permits/) · [Remodeling permits in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/permits-anne-arundel-annapolis/) · [How to hire a home improvement contractor in Maryland](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/hiring-a-contractor-maryland/)